Cabinet to discuss supports amid ongoing protests

The Cabinet will meet this evening to discuss supports for hauliers, farmers and the fishing sector amid the ongoing protests across the country over high fuel costs.

Ministers will also be updated on the security situation at some of the State's key infrastructure as gardaí move to what was termed an enforcement phase around the protests.

Cabinet meetings on Sunday are rare and almost always happen at a time of crisis.

Today is no different as the Government seeks to take the temperature down a good few notches after days of protests that reached far into the workings of the economy.

Direct support for hauliers along the lines of what was in place during Covid could be signed off by Cabinet this evening.

An extension of the diesel rebate scheme beyond June is also seen as likely.

There are expected to be measures for farmers and the fishing sector too, particularly in the area of credit lines and cash flow.

On the question of further cuts to excise duty on fuel and oil, the Government remains in contact with the European Commission to see if there is the flexibility to do this.